SideBar podcast spotlights rural health care with Dr. Leslie Hayes

SideBar: Optimism in Action will feature Dr. Leslie Hayes of El Centro Family Health in a Sept. 1 episode focused on why primary care matters in rural America. The episode comes as the KAZU-backed podcast expands digital programming on the station’s website and mobile app.

Why it matters: - Rural communities often have limited access to hospitals and specialty care, making primary care a critical community service. - Dr. Leslie Hayes says patients get better outcomes when care is evidence-based, nonjudgmental, and available in a place that feels accessible and familiar. - The episode adds a locally produced podcast to KAZU’s digital lineup, giving the station another way to reach listeners with community-focused content.

What happened: - SideBar: Optimism in Action, a collaboration of KAZU 90.3 and Monterey College of Law, is featuring Dr. Leslie Hayes of El Centro Family Health in Española, New Mexico. - The episode goes live Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, on KAZU’s SideBar page. - The podcast is hosted by former law dean Mitch Winick and produced by David Eakin. - KAZU and SideBarMedia are adding the podcast to KAZU’s digital programming on the station website and mobile application.

The details: - Dr. Hayes says there is no such thing as a typical day in a rural family medical practice. - The episode focuses on the importance of rural health care and the role of El Centro Family Health. - KAZU is the NPR affiliate station for Monterey, Salinas and Santa Cruz. - Monterey College of Law sponsors the podcast and is a long-standing nonprofit sponsor of KAZU 90.3 radio. - SideBar: Optimism in Action is the first non-newscast, locally produced podcast featured on the KAZU website and mobile app. - New episodes are published on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. - Listeners can preview and listen to more than 90 previous episodes on SideBarMedia. - The podcast also includes a blog on the SideBarMedia site. - Dr. Hayes was named a White House Champion of Change in April 2016 for work on substance use disorder and pregnancy. - Hayes’ work was featured in The Providers, an award-winning PBS documentary about rural health care.

Between the lines: - KAZU’s decision to feature the podcast on its website and app suggests the station sees audience value in longer-form, local public affairs content beyond traditional radio news. - The episode’s focus reflects a broader media and policy conversation about health access in rural communities, where travel distance and provider shortages can shape care outcomes. - Winick said the season is centered on people pursuing positive change during challenging times.

What's next: - The Dr. Hayes episode will be available on Sept. 1, 2026. - SideBar will continue releasing new episodes on its twice-monthly schedule. - KAZU listeners can expect additional podcast programming to remain available through the station’s website and mobile app.

The bottom line: - The episode uses a local platform to highlight a national health-access problem with direct impact in rural communities.